From Commuter to Campus Leader: Building My College Experience at St. John’s University
How I found community, leadership opportunities, internships, and lifelong friendships by getting involved on the St. John's campus and beyond.
Growing up on Long Island in the East Meadow School District, I spent kindergarten through high school surrounded by the same people year after year. At my high school, almost everyone knew everyone, and I was used to always recognizing familiar faces in every class and hallway. Coming to St. John's University honestly felt like starting kindergarten all over again. I did not know a single person in any of my classes, and suddenly I had to start completely from scratch.
At first, I treated college as a place to attend classes and leave as quickly as possible before traffic got bad. I had no interest in joining clubs or staying on campus longer than I needed to. But over time, I realized the moments that truly shaped my college experience happened outside the classroom. Once I stepped outside my comfort zone, everything changed.
How I Got Involved on Campus as a Commuter Student
One of the first ways I got involved was by joining the Financial Management Association (FMA) and the Marketing Club. From there, I met people with similar interests and goals, which made the campus feel much more welcoming. I also became involved in academic honor societies, including Beta Gamma Sigma, Phi Eta Sigma, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Something I never expected was joining a sorority. I always thought I would never fit the stereotype, and honestly, I was completely against the idea at first. One of my good friends, Jennifer DeGeorge, encouraged me to give it a shot, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made during college. After accepting a bid from Theta Phi Alpha, I found a community that completely changed my college experience.
By my senior year, I served on the executive board as New Member Educator, helping new members feel welcome and connected, as others had for me. Through my sorority, I also became much more involved in campus life, especially attending St. John's Red Storm men's basketball games at Madison Square Garden. Those games brought everyone together and showed me how connected the St. John’s community really is.
Academic Opportunities That Helped Me Grow at St. John’s
Academically, St. John’s helped me grow in ways I never expected. This spring, I will graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and in the fall, I will continue my education at St. John's University pursuing my MBA in Business Analytics.
One of the most meaningful experiences I had was in my Advertising and Experiential Marketing class led by Professor Jeff Taylor. This semester, our class partnered with Covenant House New York for our “Shelter in the Storm” campaign and raised over $4,000 to support youth homelessness. As part of the sponsorship team, I reached out to brands and local businesses for donations and support. At first, speaking to professionals felt intimidating, but it pushed me to become much more confident and taught me the importance of communication and teamwork.
Study Abroad, Networking, and Internship Opportunities
Some of the most meaningful experiences I had during college happened outside the classroom. Through the Thomas J. Cox Honors Program, I had the opportunity to travel to Cork, Ireland, this past spring. During the trip, we visited the headquarters of Dell Technologies, presented to the CEO of Kerry Group, and toured University College Cork. It reminded me how many opportunities can come from getting involved on campus.
My involvement on campus also helped me professionally. Through connections I made in my sorority, I gained my first internship working in sales and event marketing at The Inn at New Hyde Park. That opportunity later helped me earn my second internship as a Marketing Intern in the Commercial and Industrial division at Leviton. Those experiences showed me how valuable networking and involvement can really be.
Navigating Challenges and Growth
Being a commuter student came with challenges. Some days I would be on campus from 11 in the morning until almost 10 at night, going from classes to events during common hour, back to evening classes. Carrying multiple bags, lunches from home, and extra clothes for presentations quickly became normal. Walking around campus with my Trader Joe’s lunch box and what felt like my whole life packed into my bags became part of the commuter experience.
Although commuting made balancing academics, leadership positions, internships, and involvement more difficult, it also helped me grow tremendously. It taught me independence, time management, and how to prioritize my responsibilities while still making time for friendships and experiences.
Making the Most of the Commuter Student Experience
If I could advise other commuter students, I would say take the chance and get involved, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. It is easy to go to class and head straight home, especially when commuting can already feel exhausting. But some of the best friendships, opportunities, and memories I made happened because I stayed on campus a little longer or said yes to something new.
Closing Reflection
Looking back now, I realize being a commuter student has become one of the most important parts of my college journey. It forced me to step outside my comfort zone, become more independent, and build confidence in ways I never expected. I came into college afraid of starting over, but I am leaving with lifelong friendships, leadership experience, unforgettable memories, and opportunities that completely shaped who I am today.
What once felt like just a commute became a second home.
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